Spokane Cheesecakes:
Basque-ing in this Bakery's Delicious Desserts

BY MORGAN NORRIS

Thomas Speight doesn’t have your average story for a cheesecake maker. Speight’s origins don’t even start with food. With an MBA from Gonzaga’s Business School, he taught business tactics for years and specialized in the travel industry. At one point in life, Speight was in the Peace Corps for two years.

His origins with the culinary arts started when he and his wife were visiting the Inland Northwest and got in the mood for a classic, satisfying slice of cheesecake.

Failing to find one, Speight was inspired to do what he encouraged his business students to achieve and open his own store. After a few classes and putting his business degrees into personal practice, Speight launched his business in 2011. After growing the business and finding success, Speight opened Spokane Cheesecakes in its current location on Sprague in 2013.

Baking a Better Cheesecake

While many associate cheesecake with New York, Speight has recently looked even farther east for his newest and most decadent treat, Spain’s Burnt Basque Cheesecake.

This style of cheesecake has quickly become a local favorite made just the way Thomas likes it—toasted on the outside, smooth and creamy on the inside with a level of sweetness that isn’t overwhelming. He even teaches classes on how to make this souffle-style cheesecake.

“The center is custard-like and smoothly flows on your tongue wrapping it in flavor,” Speight shares.

The cheesecakes consist of a crustless bottom, a beautiful toasted outer layer and a sweet, smooth center. Unlike most cheesecakes, this style is completely gluten-free, perfect for those who have food sensitivities—except dairy, of course!

“It’s perfectly sweet, without needing to compensate with a glass of water,” says Speight. “Trust me, you don’t want to be sharing this with anyone you don’t like, since you’ll want to cherish every piece.”

Savoring the Simplicity

Light and decadent, these cheesecakes toe the line between sweet and savory making them the ultimate crowd-pleasers.
Spokane Cheesecakes pride themselves on being fresh and simply delicious. Speight believes the best cheesecakes are those you can dress up or down with natural ingredients.

You won’t find Snickers or birthday cake flavored cheesecakes, with Speight opting for real, natural ingredients like berries and citrus. And his signature Mayan Chocolate Cheesecake comes with a bit of a kick that sends you back for another bite. Thomas wants to showcase the simplicity and authenticity of what a good cheesecake can be without compromising flavor or quality.

Having built a successful local company, Speight has now set his sights on a new marketplace—selling online and shipping nationwide so that cheesecakes lovers can get a taste of the products that customers all over Spokane have come to love over the past 10 years. Spokane Cheesecakes is currently offering curbside pickup and since most of Speight’s cheesecakes are made to order, be sure to order online or give them a call a few days in advance.

Whether you need a classy dessert for a wine dinner or something delicious for Thanksgiving, Spokane Cheesecakes have just the ticket. It’s soon to be your next guilty pleasure and staple dessert.

About Spokane Cheesecakes

SPOKANE CHEESECAKES
spokanecheesecake.com
509.570.0658
1420 E Sprague Ave
Spokane, WA 99207

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